Thanksgiving is a joyous occasion to spend with family and friends, eat a lot of turkey, and rest on a day off. Many people also use it as an opportunity to show their gratitude, a practice that benefits mental health.Â
The Science Behind Showing Gratitude
Daily practices of noting what you are grateful for train the brain to see the positives. In fact, a meta-analysis, which looks at the information from numerous studies, found that individuals who used some sort of gratitude regularly were less stressed, happier overall, and showed decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety. For more information, check out the study here.
1) Write it out in a journal.
Sometimes, it’s easier to start with writing down your thoughts and feelings, as opposed to saying them out loud. Consider the following prompts to get you going:
- What people have positively impacted your life?
- What do you enjoy about your home? Your room?Â
- What’s the best meal you had in the last few weeks?
- When’s the last time you laughed?
2) Show your gratitude to the community.
Giving back benefits everyone, including you! It feels good to do something for your community. Try:
- Giving warm or cold drinks to your local construction workers
- Give flowers to a stranger
- Clean up trash at a local park
- Offer to rake a neighbour’s leaves
- Donate to a local charity
3) Tell your family and friends specific compliments.
Expressing your thanks is awesome, but we can do even better. When showing gratitude to your family and friends, make it just a little more personal. A general formula is:
- When you did (insert action)
- It made me feel (cared for, loved, etc.)
- Thank you for doing that! I appreciate your (kindness, etc.)
4) Appreciate nature.
Sometimes your closest friends and family are across the globe, which can make any holiday feel a little lonely. To boost your mood, show some appreciation for nature! Take a walk in your favourite park, noting the sky, breeze, trees, bugs, and more. If it’s too cold, take a look outside and try the same. You can also get creative! Write a poem, a story, or draw/paint a picture of the great outdoors.
5) Show yourself some gratitude!
It’s also important to acknowledge your strengths and accomplishments. You can do this by:
- Journaling about your positive traits
- Reflect on an area of growth
- Do something kind for yourselfÂ
- Have a self care night
No matter how you’re celebrating, Allegro wishes you a happy thanksgiving!
For more tips about showing gratitude and mental health practices, book a free consultation here.Â
